Kidnapped

I'll never forget the awful morning the Irish raiders came... You know, that was a very long time ago now but I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was about sixteen, I suppose. My family and I lived with our servants in a lovely villa near the shore. We were all asleep in bed when suddenly there was a terrible noise outside...

Here's a healthy looking young one - we'll get a good price for him!

Get off me, leave me alone. Mum! Dad! Aaagh!

Right - that's all we can fit in! Let's get going before the tide turns.

We were jammed all shapes into that boat. There was no room to move and the water was splashing up over the sides. If it sank, I knew I wouldn't be able to save myself because my hands and ankles were tied. I was really scared and really uncomfortable. The boat was made of wooden planks - there were no seats and I was just squashed into the bottom where it was hard and wet and smelly. I'd no idea what was happening, where I was being taken to, or if I would ever see my family or my home again. I'd heard about these kidnappers and I knew I was probably going to be sold as a slave. It was the worst thing that ever happened to me - and that boat journey seemed to last forever.

Here, catch that rope. All right, let's get them ashore. Right, young one, you come this way.

Right, who's going to give me a good price for this one? Tall, strong, good teeth. This one'll be able to do a hard day's work for any master. Who's looking for a servant boy? He only speaks Latin but he's bright and he's been well educated so he'll learn Irish in no time.

I'll take him. I'm looking for a shepherd to tend my flocks. I'll give you a reasonable price for the boy.

Well, I've dealt with you before and I know you're an honest man. It's a deal. What do you say, boy, how'd you like your new master?

What's your name, boy?

Patricius.

(Repeats sneeringly) - Patricius! Welcome to Ireland. (Laughs sarcastically.) Here you'll be Patrick and this man will be your master. Don't give him any trouble now or you'll have me to deal with!

Right, boy, we've a long walk ahead of us. Let's get going.

He was right about the long walk. For days we trudged on and on. I had to walk behind this new master with my hands still bound so I wouldn't try to escape. I'd have been too frightened to try anyway. There were no roads like I was used to at home, no villas, no country estates. It was all wild and hilly with forests everywhere. We never seemed to come out of the trees.

From time to time, I saw groups of small wooden houses with roofs made of straw. The people in them wore strange clothes and spoke a language I'd never heard before. All I knew was that with every step I took, I was getting further and further away from my home and my life and all I'd ever known.

Now Patrick, I have paid for you and you are my slave. Your job is to guard my sheep by day and night, keeping them safe from raiders and wild animals. You must make sure none of the sheep wanders off, and you must move them to fresh pastures where they can graze. Be careful of the wolves!